My first winter in grad school, the professors played a mean joke on us. Our classes started at 8 am three days a week and 7:30 am the other two. With the sun barely above the horizon, the temperatures weren’t much higher, and a thick fog rolled in every night with water droplets so big it almost felt like you took a second shower just by walking outside.
I started to dread my morning alarm clock, so to sleep in as long as possible and prolong the inevitable walk across campus, I began making my breakfast and lunch the night before. With enough papers to grade in the evenings, my meal prep as very basic and usually consisted of fruit and dry cereal, plus veggies and a sandwich, but every once in a while if I had an extra 5 minutes to spare, I mixed up overnight oats.
I usually kept things simple—milk, yogurt, cinnamon—but occasionally I threw in raisins to make them taste like my favorite oatmeal cookies or fresh fruit for a juicy twist. Although I may not have thought of them all with my brain so full of chemistry, the possibilities really were endless!
These Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats were one of my favorites. I just needed 5 standard pantry staples, nothing strange at all. And they’re so full of chocolate that they practically taste like a cross between hot chocolate and brownies!
For those of you who haven’t heard of overnight oats, they’re really easy to make. Simply add all of the ingredients to a jar or container with a lid, stir, cover, and let them chill overnight in the fridge. It’s a way to eat your oatmeal cold, but it still has the same soft texture as when you cook it on the stove. They’re great for the summer or breakfasts on the go!
I generally lean towards old-fashioned oats for these because I love their thick, hearty texture. Quick-cooking (aka minute or instant) oats will also work too, if that’s all you have in your pantry, but since we’re letting them sit for at least 8 hours (get as much beauty sleep as you can!), it isn’t necessary.
To boost the protein in these chocolaty oats, I turned to Greek yogurt. I’m not a fan of protein powder in my smoothies or overnight oats just yet. I haven’t quite gotten past its slightly grainy texture. Maybe someday! But for now, plain nonfat Greek yogurt adds the protein I want, as well as an irresistible creamy richness.
Since the yogurt alone won’t quite soften the oats all by itself, you’ll also add a tiny bit of milk. The mixture may look a little watery at first, but the oats act like little sponges while you sleep and soak up most of the moisture.
All of the chocolate flavor comes from cocoa powder. You’ll need 2 tablespoons, and if you’re a chocoholic like me, make sure they’re heaping! To balance it out, add a little sweetener, however much you need to make your taste buds happy.
Then in the morning, grab a spoon and enjoy!
| Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats | | Print |
- ¼ c (25g) old-fashioned oats (gluten-free if necessary)
- ½ c (120g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- ¼ c (60mL) nonfat milk
- 2 tbsp (10g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2-3 tsp (9-14g) Truvia (or other sweetener), to taste
- Add all of the ingredients in the order that they’re listed to a mason jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Stir to combine. Screw on the lid, and refrigerate the oats overnight or at least 8 hours.
Any milk and yogurt will work. However, most yogurts don’t contain the same amount of protein and thick creaminess as Greek yogurt.
{gluten-free, clean eating, low fat, low calorie, high protein}
More overnight oat recipes from other food bloggers…
♥ Flax and Blueberry Vanilla Overnight Oats by Pinch of Yum
♥ Peanut Butter Cup Overnight Oats by French Press
♥ Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats by Crème de la Crumb
♥ Ambrosia Apple Pie Overnight Oats by The Sweet {Tooth} Life
This looks so good, but I’m so nervous it won’t turn out. I’ve never had overnight oats where the milk doesn’t reach the oats! There wasn’t enough room for the ingredients either; what size mason jar do you use?
I use a glass jar that’s around 18 oz, so there’s plenty of room for all of these ingredients! I’ve also just used tupperware, and that works just as well. I hope you enjoy the oats Christina! 🙂
Thanks for replying, Amy! They turned out, but next time I’ll make them in a big bowl THEN distribute. I have the half pint jars and there wasn’t *quite* enough room. Thanks; this worked well.
I’m glad you enjoyed the oats Christina, and that sounds like a great plan for next time! 🙂
Hi Amy. This looks yummy! Do you think I could use chocolate protein powder instead of the cocoa to increase the amount of protein? Thank you!
Yes, you can! You may need to add more than 2 tablespoons of chocolate protein powder, depending on how chocolaty you prefer your oats, since most protein powders aren’t as chocolaty as cocoa powder. 🙂 I hope you enjoy them Jenn!
Thank you, Amy. I used a scoop of chocolate protein powder and the oats are very good. Love your recipes!
I’m so glad that worked Jenn! Thanks for your kind words about my recipes! 🙂
Nearly 4 hours after eating a “portion” of this and I feel sick to my stomach. Tastes alright, but the amount of cocoa powder is insane!!!!!! I never, ever feel nauseous, and I have the sweetest tooth known to man, so there’s definitely something up with this recipe. I’m annoyed that I doubled up and made two portions, ’cause I don’t wanna waste the ingredients I’ve used… guess I’ll have to split the second portion over a few days. Much prefer cookie dough overnight oats.
Oh no! That shouldn’t be happening Georgia. Do you normally feel nauseous after consuming chocolate or cocoa? Cocoa doesn’t normally cause that reaction, so I’m really concerned that it was either the yogurt or the milk that you used instead. Were they both fresh? I’d like to work together to figure out what happened because these oats shouldn’t make anyone feel sick!
This looks great! I’m not a chocolate fan at all but my husband likes it. I can modify it for his diet. He’s a bodybuilder and his diet is strict. As for me, I could switch out the chocolate flavour for something else. I’ll give it a try for him and see what he thinks about it. Thanks!!
Your husband is so lucky to have you to make him healthy breakfasts that work for his diet Tanya! I can’t wait to hear what he thinks of the oats! If you aren’t a fan of chocolate, I actually have quite a few other protein-packed overnight oat recipes that don’t contain chocolate. You can find them here, and I’d love to hear what you think if you try one of those recipes! 🙂
Thank you very much! I just prepared this recipe for him. Excited to hear his thoughts! I’ve looked at the recipes with the link that you’ve provided and I’m stoked! Thank again! ? It’s very kind of you!
It’s my pleasure Tanya! I’m excited to hear what you both think tomorrow! 🙂
I made the Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats. I put the oats on the bottom as usual, the cocoa on that, mixed it, the yogurt on that and the milk. Thinking back I should’ve put the milk on the oats and then the yogurt because this morning the yogurt was a blob, didn’t mix with the oats overnight so I had to mix it before I ate it. Still was good, I will definitely make it again but do it a little different.
Oh goodness! Yes, you’re supposed to stir all of the ingredients thoroughly together before refrigerating, rather than leaving them as layers. (See the second sentence in the instructions.) That should help for your next batch Marisa! 🙂
Am eating this mid-comment and I couldn’t be happier with this start to my morning. Granted I’ve had coffee and toddler snuggles already. But what better way to top it off than creamy chocolate? And guilt free to boot!
Coffee, toddler snuggles, and chocolate?? That sounds like the perfect way to start any day!! 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the overnight oats, and thank you for taking the time to let me know Candace. You must have very little free time with a toddler!
Haha, yeah I am a stay at home mom of two young ones with a mini homestead so it is sometimes hard to find some free time lol. But bulk cooking and meal prep help with that. Which is why I love fridge oats! Make a big batch twice a week and the husband and I each have grab and go, no fuss, healthy meals for our mornings.
A mini homestead on top of your young ones?? Oh my goodness Candace, you’re superwoman!! I’m so impressed that you find the time to read my blog and leave multiple comments with how much you must have going on in your life — that means a lot to me! 🙂
Oh. My. Goodness. I’d heard a lot about overnight oats, and was randomly searching for a recipe. I’m so glad I tried yours first!! I made mine with Almond Coconut milk, and used coconut flavoured yoghurt. It was like eating dessert for breakfast!!! I’ve had them every day this week, and am planning variations to try next week. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the overnight oats Megan! That means so much to me that you made them every day this week. Thank you for sharing that with me! 🙂 If you’re interested in some of my other overnight oats recipes, you can find them all here. I’d love to hear what you think if you try any of those as well!
It looks so delicious! I wrote down the recipe and I’ll try it!
I can’t wait to hear what you think of the overnight oats Martina! 🙂
Hey Amy! These chocolate overnight oats sound delicious, BUT I’m not a fan of cold oatmeal. Has anyone ever tried a quick reheat in the microwave the next morning?
I really appreciate your interest in my recipe Lin! I’m hesitant to recommend heating in the microwave because of the yogurt, but if you’re cautious, it might work. I’d love to hear what you think if you try the overnight oats! 🙂